The Basin set to replace McLean park as the hosts of a One Day International against Pakistan

Napier’s McLean Park is set to undergo a renovation process for its turf and drainage system which will see them miss out on two ODIs against Pakistan. However, it is good news for the Wellington cricket fans as the ground might be hosting the two matches in January.

New Zealand cricket intends to release its schedule for the summer this week which will have two One Day Internationals in the month of January against the ICC Champions Trophy winners Pakistan.

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If things turn out as expected, Pakistan will face the Kiwis three times in January with a T20 international also scheduled to take place at Westpac Stadium on January 22, Anniversary Monday. It was decided last year that the Basin will get to host one ODI against Pakistan and so was McLean Park.

The Napier City Council who owns the McLean Park confirmed that the ground will carry a restoration process of the ground’s turf and drainage system which will stretch until the end of January. Following the announcement, New Zealand cricket is looking for replacements.

It is being planned to shift the 5^th One Day International to the Basin which will also host the inaugural match of the series on January 6. However, the Pakistan team played in the basin in January 2016, which marked the Basin’s first ODI in 11 long years.

The match saw a total strength of 6192 spectators which was pretty less than the ground’s capacity of 12,500. The Black caps reigned supreme in that match by 70 runs against the men in green.

Besides the ODIs against Pakistan, the Basin will also see a Test against the West Indies played in it in December. The Westpac Stadium will host the T20 International against Pakistan, which will be followed by a tri-series T20 international against England on February 14 and an ODI against the Three Lions.